Assignment task:
"The Serpents of Paradise" by Edward Abbey
1. Please note the use of descriptive language in this essay, especially sensory language, but also note the use of similes and metaphors. One good place to look is the description of the gopher snakes' mating ritual (189-190).
2. What is the ethical dilemma this park ranger faces about snakes? How does he solve it?
3. Look at the last two paragraphs of the essay (190-191). Does this spell out the theme of the piece? Why or why not?